November 6, 2018
Japan Ministry of Defense
1. The MOD/SDF have monitored vessels suspected of violating the UN Security Council Resolutions to prevent ship-to-ship transfers and have publicized 10 strongly suspected cases since January 2018.
2. From the end of April for a month and from the middle of September for a month and a half, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to the U.S., have engaged in monitoring and surveillance activities by aircraft against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by UNSCRs, based in Kadena Air Base. In addition to that, naval vessels such as the U.S. multiple naval vessels, British Royal Navy Frigate SUTHERLAND, British Royal Navy Flagship ALBION, Royal Canadian Navy frigate CALGARY and Royal Australian Navy frigate MELBOURNE have engaged in monitoring and surveillance activities in waters surrounding Japan including the East China Sea. Furthermore, the UK will be providing a further contribution to maritime sanctions enforcement activity later this year when British Royal Navy Frigate ARGYLL is in the region.
3. Japan considers that international community needs to fully implement the relevant UNSCRs while maintaining the solidarity for the realization of North Korea’s dismantlement of all WMD and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. In this regard, Japan welcomes and highly appreciates the efforts by partner countries to that end. Japan will continue to work closely with all partner countries to ensure effectiveness of the relevant UNSCRs.
